To
become a sportscaster, first you must be responsible. You must also be a
journalist. No matter the creativity, the flair, or the fun, the basics
- who did what, when and where was it done - are always foremost. Then comes
the hows, the how manys and the whys.

I participated in sports and worked at a local radio station when I was
in high school. I achieved a bachelor of science degree at Ohio's Bowling
Green State University while working on the campus radio and television
stations. The year after graduation was all failure, but then I started
getting stints at TV stations in Ohio, Washington D.C. and, finally, New
York City.

During my experience at different stations, the labor involved in a successful
sportscast consists of research, compilation and presentation.

Researching stories includes personal observation, the use of newspapers,
wire services, video tape research, plus experience. A formal education
is required, but the education never ends.

Compilation of a sportscast is a balance of content and the time allowed
to present it. Then comes the finished product - the presentation. The truth
is, building a sports broadcast is not glamorous. It's work. But if you're
good enough, hungry enough, and you just plain feel it in your blood, then
sports broadcasting can be the best work you'll ever find.